To protect the health and welfare of equine athletes, racing participants and the public, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued Administration Directive 01-2026, hereby directing all Ontario racetracks to cancel racing activities when local air quality reaches high-risk levels.
Environment Canada and Public Health Officials continue to advise that smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario is causing very poor air quality that poses a significant health risk. As a result, Environment Canada has recommended cancelling outdoor activities.
In light of these circumstances, and in accordance with the Directive, the AGCO is prohibiting official workouts, qualifiers and races while the local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is in the high-risk range of 7+.
Racing, official workouts and qualifying activities may resume once local air quality conditions improve and the AQHI is no longer in the high-risk range.
The AGCO continues to monitor conditions across the province and may issue further direction as needed.
More information
For current AQHI information in your area, please see Air Quality Ontario .
Source: Air Quality Ontario
Questions
For more information, please see the Race Day Contact List.